Two Different Tactile Stimulus Methods

A Comparison of Two Different Tactile Stimulus Methods on Reducing Pain

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the ShotBlocker and Palm Stimulator, developed by researchers for reducing pain during intramuscular (IM) injections in children.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the ShotBlocker and Palm Stimulator, developed by researchers for reducing pain during intramuscular (IM) injections in children.

Design: The study was conducted via a randomized controlled design. Setting: The study population consisted of children in the seven to 10 age group admitted to the emergency department of a public hospital (Kahta State Hospital) between February 2019 and July 2019 and who received an IM injection as part of the medical treatment.

Interventions: The study data were collected from the children, who were divided into Palm Stimulator, ShotBlocker, and control groups.

Main outcome measures: The children's pre-procedure fear levels were evaluated using the Children's Fear Scale (CFS), and their pain levels during the procedure were evaluated using the Facial Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). The children also reported injection-related pain levels using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Inclusion Criteria: children who

• had no diagnosed physical or mental disability or chronic illness;
• had no communication problems;
• received single injection,
• required Ampicillin + Sulbactam group of antibiotics for standardization; and
• received ventrogluteal muscle injection during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parents who were unable to collaborate in the fear and pain evaluation,
• overweight or underweight children (under the third or above the 97th percentile),
• children with any incision or scar tissue in the injection area,
• children who received a sedative, analgesic, or narcotic drugs (based on expert opinion) six hours before the procedure on the basis of parental statements and medical history